If You Have Been On An Elk Hunt Check In Here!Posted by BarDTiger81 on 1/31/13 at 12:25 pm

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I am looking for Anyone who has been to an outfitter. I am gonna go the guided route the first time I do it since My dad, FIl and BIL will be accompanying me. If you have any info that can help please do so, TIA.

re: If You Have Been On An Elk Hunt Check In Here!Posted by wiltznucs on 1/31/13 at 12:34 pm to BarDTiger81

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I did an archery elk hunt in New Mexico a few years ago. I hunted the Gila NF in Unit 16A. It was the most physical arse beating I've ever put myself through. I got a decent 5x5 on the final day of the hunt. Hunting the bugle is cool and if you have a chance you should check it out. My advice is to get in shape. If you are not in shape your likelihood of getting an archery elk drops by 75% IMHO. I was running 3-5 miles a day for 6 months leading up to my hunt and the altitude still wore me down.

If you are looking for a high quality bull then go with AZ. You have two choices, wait the 6-10 years necessary to draw a prime bull elk tag or buy a landowner tag. Be prepared to pay somewhere on the order of $10K+ if you go the landowner route.

New Mexico's Gila NF is decent. There is a good elk population but monsters are getting fewer. A 250-300 class bull is typical there.

I dont think NM or AZ allows nonresidents to DIY. They say its a safety issue and with NM you have to list your outfitter when purchasing your tag.

I believe a Colorado has elk tags right over the counter. If you just want to blast an elk or DIY this is your best bet. Quality will be low and hunting pressure will be high.

re: If You Have Been On An Elk Hunt Check In Here!Posted by BarDTiger81 on 1/31/13 at 12:39 pm to wiltznucs

quote:I did an archery elk hunt in New Mexico a few years ago. I hunted the Gila NF in Unit 16A. It was the most physical arse beating I've ever put myself through. I got a decent 5x5 on the final day of the hunt. Hunting the bugle is cool and if you have a chance you should check it out. My advice is to get in shape. If you are not in shape your likelihood of getting an archery elk drops by 75% IMHO. I was running 3-5 miles a day for 6 months leading up to my hunt and the altitude still wore me down.

I def want to do that one day but no way my dad and FIL could do that. they are in their 60s and couldnt take it, thats Why I wanna do the GUided rifle hunt

re: If You Have Been On An Elk Hunt Check In Here!Posted by wiltznucs on 1/31/13 at 12:44 pm to BarDTiger81

quote:I def want to do that one day but no way my dad and FIL could do that. they are in their 60s and couldnt take it, thats Why I wanna do the GUided rifle hunt

Cabela's Outdoor Adventures is a good start. They represent a number of outfitters and can match you to a place that gives you the hunt quality your looking for in a suitable terrain for your folks. In general, they charge a bit more than booking direct with an outfitter but you buy a margin of safety as there are a lot of fly by night outfitters that exist only to rip people off when you venture out West.